At precisely 2:00 PM, the lights on the main stage illuminated.
One of the highlights of the CES trade show, Apple Inc.'s press conference, officially began.
Many journalists and analysts, still reeling from the frenzy at the Sega booth, rubbed their ringing ears, straightened their rumpled suits, and hurried to the venue.
They needed something "calm" and "serious" to counteract the sensory overload they had just experienced.
Apple CEO John Sculley took to the stage.
Unlike Tom Kalinske's flamboyant gestures, Sculley's speaking style was steady and composed, filled with grand, abstract terms like "paradigm shift," "digital convergence," and "the future of personal computing."
"Today, we will redefine personal computing," Sculley's voice boomed through the microphone, filling the hall. "We call it—the Personal Digital Assistant, or PDA for short."
The moment the word "PDA" was uttered, a ripple of excitement spread through the audience.
Reporters scribbled the unfamiliar acronym into their notebooks, while analysts whispered among themselves.
The concept was undeniably alluring: a smart device that could fit in your pocket, manage your schedule, take notes, and send messages—all at your fingertips.
It sounded like something straight out of the future.
"It will become your second brain, your personal secretary, your gateway to the digital world," Sculley's voice rose, his arm sweeping in a graceful arc through the air. "Its name is Newton."
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the large screen behind Sculley, waiting for the unveiling of this revolutionary product.
But all that appeared on the screen was an elegantly designed logo and a few conceptual renderings.
Sculley continued to paint a rosy picture of Newton's potential, but the audience's expressions began to shift.
The initial anticipation slowly morphed into confusion.
"So... where's the actual device?" a reporter muttered under his breath.
The person next to him shrugged. "Maybe they're saving it for the grand finale?"
Time ticked by, and Sculley's speech drew to a close.
He painted a dazzling vision of a digital future, but throughout the entire presentation, the revolutionary device called "Newton" never materialized.
"Thank you all," Sculley said with a smile, bowing politely.
The applause was sparse, polite but lacking enthusiasm.
During the Q&A session, someone finally couldn't hold back.
A reporter from *The Wall Street Journal* stood up and cut straight to the chase: "Mr. Sculley, thank you for painting such a compelling vision of the future. But when can we see the actual Newton device? Or even a working prototype?"
All eyes in the room instantly turned to Sculley.
His smile remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Newton is not just a product; it's a platform, an ecosystem. Today, we've presented a vision—a goal we're working tirelessly to achieve. The specific hardware will be unveiled at the appropriate time."
A collective gasp rippled through the audience.
"So, there's nothing?"
"After all this hype, they're just announcing... nothing?"
"A concept? We came all this way just to hear about a concept?"
The journalist who had asked the earlier question sat down and scribbled furiously in his notebook: *No physical product showcased.*
Apple's presentation ended abruptly, the disappointment on the reporters' faces barely concealed.
"I already have my headline: *Apple Redefines 'Pie in the Sky'*"
"Compared to Sega's presentation this morning, this is a joke."
Amid the murmurs, most attendees began packing up, preparing to leave.
In their eyes, the highlight of CES's first day had flopped. They'd rather explore other booths or return to their hotels to write scathing articles, turning their disappointment with Apple into sharp prose.
Just as the crowd was about to disperse, the stage lights suddenly shifted again.
Three PM: Another presentation.
On the stage backdrop, Apple's iconic bitten-apple logo had been removed and replaced with an unfamiliar symbol composed of three geometric shapes: 3D0.
"What company is this?"
"Never heard of them. The schedule lists '3D0,' so it must be a new company."
Some reporters who were preparing to leave paused, their curiosity piqued.
*Since we're already here, might as well stay for another presentation. Who knows, there might be a surprise?*
A man in a casual suit, without a tie, strode onto the stage. He looked younger and more energetic than John Sculley.
This was Trip Hawkins, the legendary figure who had left Apple to found Electronic Arts (EA).
He wasted no time on pleasantries and cut straight to the chase.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this morning you witnessed the fervor of gaming. This afternoon, you heard about the future of personal computing." Hawkins scanned the audience, his voice radiating unwavering confidence. "Now, I will show you how these two worlds will converge into one."
The previously listless reporters and analysts in the audience suddenly perked up, their attention fully engaged.
This opening was far more compelling than Biscali's vague talk of "paradigm shifts."
"We call it—the 3D0 Interactive Multiplayer!"
The large screen behind Hawkins lit up, displaying not some abstract concept art, but a meticulously crafted CG animation brimming with futuristic technology.
The animation showcased a sleek, black console running 3D games with graphics far surpassing those of any console of the era. It could also play CD-quality music and even serve as an educational tool.
*Hiss—* A collective gasp swept through the audience.
The visuals were even more refined and fluid than the prototype of *Virtua Fighter* demonstrated on the Sega Saturn!
"The 3D0 isn't just a game console; it's a standard—a unified standard for next-generation interactive entertainment," Hawkins declared, spreading his arms wide like a preacher. "We don't manufacture hardware; we create standards and technology. We welcome any capable partners to join us in producing hardware that meets the 3D0 standard!"
His words sent a wave of shock through the audience.
This was a revolutionary business model!
Instead of a closed ecosystem, they were adopting an open licensing approach, similar to the PC market?
In theory, any consumer electronics manufacturer could produce next-generation game consoles simply by paying a licensing fee?
"Moreover," Hawkins paused for emphasis, "unlike other console manufacturers who charge exorbitant royalties based on a percentage of the retail price, we will only charge three dollars per game sold."
After Hawkins finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the room. Then, as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into boiling oil, the room erupted into chaos.
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